Why Booking a Scalp Spa is the Ultimate Act of Self Care

Recently, social media has been abuzz with videos of people indulging in what looks to be the most relaxing hair wash of their lives. It’s called a scalp spa. And now the trend has hit Baltimore. We sat down with Dawn Fitzgerald, owner of Fitz Hair Studio in Parkville, to talk about the service.

What is a scalp spa?
It’s a holistic service used to deep clean and nourish your scalp. The practice gained popularity in Japan before going viral on social media. The process uses massage, hair washing, various tools, and sometimes targeted treatments to cleanse the scalp and get rid of unwanted buildup. It’s a very Zen experience and is not only good for your physical health but your mental health as well. We also offer red light therapy during the service, which promotes circulation and can help with stress and anxiety, as well as sound therapy. It’s basically the shampoo portion—the best part of getting your hair done—times twenty.

What are the benefits?
The scalp spa can help with dryness, hair loss or thinning, psoriasis, eczema, and other skin conditions. The process uses hydro water therapy in a water-fall-like motion at different frequencies, which is what helps to stimulate the scalp. This stimulation of blood flow and new cell generation is what aids with new hair growth and thickening. It also helps with exfoliating the skin and the removal of environmental toxins that can be built up on the scalp or hair. It also promotes tension relief and can help with headaches. The treatment just really puts you in a relaxed state and can serve as a tremendous form of therapy and self-care.

What is the process like?
The service is typically an hour to an hour and half. We do the initial scalp analysis with a machine that gives the client a very easy, understandable visual of the hair and scalp before the treatment. Then we have them lie on a bed in their spa wrap like you would for a standard massage. We have a trolley cart of tools that we use—things like chopsticks, quartz, crystals, different brushes, etc. There is also some light shoulder and hand massage included and guests can request to use sound bowls, hot stones, or steam if wanted. Once the service is done, we have them sit under a dryer and they have their choice of refreshments and light snacks so they can relax even more.

How often should people visit the scalp spa?
Your spa tech can help you come up with a plan for how often to come in based on your desired results. Typically, that is about once a month, but most people notice a drastic difference after one visit. Other than that, people should treat themselves to the spa whenever they want. It’s really just a nice pampering experience overall.

WHAT YOU NEED:

A BRUSH UP: Come with freshly brushed hair so the service starts on time and you don’t waste any of your coveted relaxation time detangling it.

ONE DAY: Fitzgerald encourages clients to wait 24 hours before doing a regular shampoo at home so they can properly experience the benefits of the treatment.

A BIT OF SHADE: Bring a hat if it’s a sunny day; some products could contain oil, so avoid direct sunlight until you’re able to wash those out.